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Thursday, 9 June 2016

StyleArc Estelle Jacket, Lola pants and Toni top

I seem to have been wearing a lot of StyleArc lately. I just can't help but reach for these easy and comfortable pieces that make it look like I've actually thought about what I'm wearing! This combo is made up of Lola pants, of which I've made many, the Toni dress pattern cut off into a top (my dress is here) and the Estelle ponte jacket.

I've talked about the Lola pants and Toni dress before, so let's start with the Estelle jacket. I love this pattern. It's super easy to make, but looks really stylish. Sorry about the dark photos, I've lightened some of them to make the details easier to see.

The jacket uses ponte, mine is from Textile Traders, so the front edges, neckline, hem and cuffs are all left raw. That means that all you need to sew are the back, shoulders, sleeves, sides and collar. Oh, and the pockets. So quick and easy!

The cut of the front means that it drapes perfectly with no effort or fussing to get it into place.

The back is cut at mid thigh and the front dips slightly lower.

The simple design makes it easy to change the length and shape of the jacket. I have just made another one of these that is shorter due to fabric limitations. It looks great.

Next the top. This is from the Toni dress pattern (you might remember me wearing the giant flower). I wanted to try it cut off into a top, so I used this cheap fabric to try it out. I really love the result and need to make it again in a better fabric.

I love the whole outfit (who wouldn't?) but I was especially drawn to these pants – the satin side band gives them a très chic twist. Then I went through your past posts to see your other versions and wow! They are all superb and very different from each other. What a versatile pattern!

All three garments are fabulous and work so well together. Style Arc have some great patterns. Are you happy with the raw edges on the jacket? I am about to make my own Estelle Jacket and I was planning to finish the edges by turning a narrow hem. Do you think this would interfere with the drape of the collar? I will be using a wool ponte. I find all your work so inspiring.

Thank you, you are very sweet. Yes, I am very happy with the raw edges. I wasn't sure at first either, but I think in the ponte it looks stylish and high end. I think a narrow hem would probably drape ok, but you would see it as the fabric folds back and forth. You could bind it, but it might be fiddly getting it perfect!